Sleep and Finals Week: How a Good Night’s Rest Can Give You Better Grades

Sleep and Finals Week: How a Good Night’s Rest Can Give You Better Grades

Posted by Melissa Bamberg
on
December 29, 2014

The schedule of a college student is not an easy one. Often they find themselves up until the early hours of the morning, crashing in the campus library with a stack of books and half a pizza. While these habits are typical among the college population, they aren’t healthy. A lack of sleep can dramatically inhibit concentration and have a negative effect on test-taking.

What Happens When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep?

Your body needs sleep to operate; that’s a fact. Unfortunately, due to active social lives, heavy workloads, and chaotic schedules, college students often sleep much less than recommended. When student skip out on sleep, they experience many negative repercussions. These include weakened memory, decreased logical reasoning, disruption within the hormonal balance, and a decreased ability to concentrate.

While it may seem like a good idea to stay up all night before that big test, you aren’t likely to remember everything you’ve studied in the wee hours of the morning. Rather, you’ll find yourself stressed out, cranky, and sleepy, and even at risk of falling asleep in the middle of your exam.

A Better Approach to Sleep and Study

So what can college students do? The first step is getting a good night’s sleep. We know; you have a lot of studying to do, and you aren’t sure when you’re going to be able to finish. However, studies show that students are more likely to perform well when they get a good night’s sleep, and not stay up all night cramming.

A great way to get a good night’s sleep is with the nodpod night eye mask. The nodpod completely blocks light, allowing your eyes to rest peacefully throughout the evening. In addition, this night eye mask helps release melatonin and serotonin, brain chemicals that assist in providing a healthy night’s sleep.

While your workload may seem unmanageable, it’s wise to space out assignments, papers, and study sessions over a longer period and not cram it into one night. This way, you give yourself the opportunity to get a full night’s rest leading up to your exams. During finals week this is especially important.

In addition to wearing a night eye mask, here are several other things you can do to increase your chances of a good night’s sleep:

Reduce caffeine and alcohol. While it might be tempting to reach for another cup of coffee, too much caffeine will disrupt sleeping patterns. During finals week, try not to drink coffee three hours before bedtime, as this will increase your chances of getting a solid night’s rest. Alcohol can interrupt sleep patterns and have you tossing and turning throughout the evening.

Establish a sleep schedule. Don’t put yourself through unnecessary jet lag! While it might be difficult for college students, try to go to bed and wake up at a similar time every day. Pick certain hours that are reserved for specifically for studying and sleeping. You’ll train your body to focus when it’s time to hit the books and to relax when your head hits the pillow.

If you’re interested in increasing the quality of your sleep, especially during finals week, consider some of these habits and the addition of a night eye mask. Make the most of your sleep, and treat your body with the compassion it deserves. Your grades will thank you!